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Connor Tremble trial: Psychiatrist says Will Blencowe claimed he was planning to kill himself rather than stab teenager

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by Ben Wilkinson, Crime Reporter, also covering Barton and Wood Farm. Call me on (01865) 425427

KILLER Will Blencowe was planning to kill himself and went to make peace with Connor Tremble before he stabbed him 15 times, jurors heard this morning.

Blencowe, 21, is accused of murdering Connor in February because the 17-year-old was seeing his ex-girlfriend.

A defence expert witness psychiatrist who visited Blencowe in prison after the killing told the Oxford Crown Court trial today that the defendant had a history of mental health problems and could not sleep with the lights off.

Dr Michael Orr said Blencowe - who denies murder - told him he had planned to buy heroin in Oxford to kill himself but stopped off at Connor's Fairacres Road flat to "make peace" with him.

But Blencowe said Connor opened the door holding a knife.

The jury heard he told the doctor: "I grabbed his arm. It was like he was ready to get me.

"I could see the situation but I was an onlooker."

Dr Orr said: "He could see his arm going in stabbing movements."

The witness - who said Blencowe had a borderline personality disorder - also added: "He felt he had not killed anyone because 'someone else has stolen my body'."

Prosecutor Richard Barton, in cross examination, questioned the expert's experience with homicides and said some of Blencowe's claims should have been double-checked by the doctor before he reached conclusions.

Prosecution psychiatrist Dr Sukhjeet Lally is due to give evidence on Blencowe, of Oxford Road in Banbury, this afternoon.

The trial continues.

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